4K is no longer reserved for theatrical cinema presentation; it is in demand at all levels of production. With Ultra HD recording, the GY-HM170UA 4KCAM Compact Professional Camcorder with Top Handle Audio Unit from JVC is designed to fulfill the requirement for professional functionality. It offers ND filters, custom-assign buttons, and professional audio inputs with manual gain control in a form-factor closer to a consumer camcorder. The camera records 3840 x 2180 4K in 24 or 30p, at a bit rate of 150 Mbps, encoding the file in an .MOV-wrapped H.264 codec. With two SDHC/SDXC card slots, the camera supports dual, backup, and continuous recording. Besides 4K, it can also record 1080p at up to 60 fps in an 8-bit 4:2:2 50 Mbps .MOV file, or in AVCHD for compatibility with consumer editing software.

For monitoring, there is a flip-out LCD screen with a 920,000-pixel panel, plus a 0.24″ viewfinder with 1.56-megapixel resolution—the latter being especially helpful when working in bright daylight. For an external monitor, connecting to a live switcher, or recording video externally, there is an HDMI port with live 4K output. The included top handle audio unit features two XLR audio inputs for use with external microphones, offering switchable Mic/Line/Mic +48 inputs with independent gain control. It attaches to your camera’s accessory shoe and secures with a slotted thumbscrew. It features electrical contacts on its foot that enable audio signal transmission to the camera without any cable required. An accessory shoe and shotgun mic clamp are available on top.

Camcorder

4K Ultra HD Recording at 150 Mbps

With dual card slots, the GY-HM170 is capable of recording Ultra HD spec 4K (3840 x 2160) to either SDHC or SDXC cards that are at least UHS-I Class 3 or faster. It records at a bit rate of 150 Mbps, encoding the footage in an .MOV-wrapped file suitable for editing in a number of applications.

Live 4K Output through HDMI

You can output 4K live through the HDMI port for monitoring or connecting to a 4K switcher or external recording system. The HDMI port also allows you to preview previously-recorded content in its full Ultra HD glory.

Also Records in HD

Since you may still need to deliver in HD, two HD codecs are offered as well. There is an .MOV-wrapped 50 Mbps format that gives you 4:2:2 color space for compliance with many broadcast standards, as well as an AVCHD setting for shoots where file size takes precedence, or the footage needs to be edited using consumer editing software that only supports AVCHD.

Dual Recording

Two SDHC/SDXC memory card slots support the following modes:

Dual recording: Recording a high resolution “master” to one card and a low resolution “proxy” to the other

Backup: Recording the exact same format to both cards

Continuous: Once the first card fills up, the camera rolls over to the second, allowing you to shoot indefinitely

Viewfinder and Flip-Out LCD

The 3.5″ LCD panel features a 920,000-pixel resolution, while the 0.24″ viewfinder—great for outdoor shooting—has a 1.56 million-pixel resolution. A focus assist overlay can be enabled when using either display to help ensure critical focus—essential when recording 4K with manual focus.

24x Dynamic Zoom

Taking you beyond the 12x optical zoom is dynamic zoom. Although this is a type of digital zoom, it is able to take advantage of the fact that the sensor is over-sampled, enabling a seamless transition from optical to dynamic with minimal quality loss.

Two-Position ND Filter

Helping cut light to enable the use of a slower shutter speed for more natural motion blur, the ND filter offers two settings, 1/4 and 1/16, plus Off.

Nine User-Assignable Buttons

User-assignable buttons allow you to program infrequently accessed settings so you don’t have to dive into the menu every time a change is needed. When unassigned, these buttons revert to their default settings, which are helpfully labeled alongside each number.

Top Handle Audio Unit

XLR Inputs

The top handle unit incorporates two 3-pin XLR inputs that allow you to attach balanced microphones or wireless audio inputs. Each input supports line, microphone, and mic +48 selections with independent gain control for accepting input from different audio sources.

Camcorder Connection

The top handle attaches directly to the camcorder, which provides power for the top handle. Electronic contacts on the top handle audio unit and the camcorder obviate the need for a connecting cable, which makes using the top handle simple and reliable to set up and use.